The Obituary

MARTHA BERNICE SPINNER, affectionately known as Bernice or Sweetpea, was called home to be with her heavenly Father on Monday, April 15, 2024 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.

Bernice was born on September 29, 1933 in Port Royal, Virginia to the late James and Mary Jefferson. She was the seventh child of their 10 children. She had six sisters and one brother preceding her in death - Helen Chapman, Charles Jefferson, Goldie Gadson, Lollie Jefferson, Mae Henderson, Edith Chappelle and Florence Fleming.

Bernice was baptized in the Rappahannock River at a very young age and attended Shiloh Baptist Church in Port Royal, Virginia. She loved participating in church activities.

Bernice attended a one-room schoolhouse in Port Royal until the sixth grade, then she went to Union High School in Bowling Green, Virginia until she graduated in the twelfth grade. After her graduation, Bernice moved north to Philadelphia where she lived with her sister Mae and worked in a shoe factory. She also worked as a cashier at Dunn Shoes and at Sterling Lighting Factory with her sisters, Goldie, Florence and Sandra. She retired from Simkar Lighting alongside her sisters Goldie and Florence in 1982.

Bernice met the love of her life, Howard Spinner, in the early 1950s. They were married on December 29, 1957 and were happily married until his untimely death on June 23, 2012. After they married, they moved to the 5800 block of Carpenter Street, where they happily lived until their deaths.

Bernice attended St. George St. Barnabas Episcopal Church for years. She remained an active supporter of the church even after she was no longer able to attend due to illness.

Bernice was always available to listen, laugh and give good counsel. She was quiet, soft-spoken and told it like it is, whether you wanted to hear it or not. She was a list-maker and meticulous in all her dealings. She went above and beyond for everyone and loved her family dearly. Her favorite pastime was making her way through a good word search booklet.

She leaves to cherish her memory: two sisters, Sandra Bonner and Doris Reid; 14 nieces and nephews, 22 great nieces and nephews, as well as 24 great-great nieces and nephews; and a host of loving family, friends and neighbors.

Lovingly submitted,

The Family

"I would like to thank all my nieces and nephews

for helping and treating me like a Mother.

I love all of you, Aunt Bernice - March 23, 2023"